The push to eliminate lead has nothing to do with it getting "stale". It
is considered to be a toxin that effects intelligence (although according to
Emsley, the chemistry community is not sure about some of the research to
that effect - kinda' like the mercury scare).
There is a big push to eliminate Lead in everything including electronics.
Major elec. manufacturers are already working to reduce it wherever they
can.

"stale"solder:
If solder is left in a humid environment, possibly with oxidants such as
sulfur as well, it can degrade. Generally, the "duller" it looks, the worse
its condition. I don't know the chemical reaction(s) (both tin and lead are
generally quite un-reactive) , just that some solder from the 1940's (like
in Dad's garage) can be "dirty" on the outside. and difficult to use. I
would keep it in sealed plastic bags.


"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...
There's a big push to stop putting lead solder into landfills,
particularly
in Europe. They tried making manufacturer's take their stuff back but it
didn't work, so now they're trying to eliminate lead from solder.

I suspect that there will be quite a long grace period where the military,
avionics and medical systems people will be able to continue using lead
solder on reliability grounds.

Does solder really get that stale? I'm still using the roll I got 25
years
ago as a gift (it's a big roll) -- I don't have any problems with it, nor
does my boy, 10, who's just learning to solder.

Perhaps you could pack it with dessicant?

"- - Bill - -" wrote in message
...
BOEING377 wrote:


I wonder if lead tin solder will become like Freon 12, still in
demand
but now
15 dollars or more a can instead of 99 cents just a few yrs ago. Maybe
its time
to stock up on few rolls of old style solder before it becomes a hoard
ed
overpriced item.


Hehe...I did that a couple years ago and now have a bunch of old stale
solder :-) I'm one of those nutty people who notices that "out-of-date"
solder just ain't as good as fresh.
My understanding is that lead based solder has been nixxed for plumbing
work already and I suppose that makes some sense. Dunno if that gave
rise to the rumour that electrical solder would suffer the same destiny.
Does anybody know for sure?

-Bill M